The Gift of life

Almost all of us do not want to die. But It is the ultimate truth that the only certain thing in this world is death. We all die timely or untimely and our bodies are turned to ashes and dust and it is a reality.

But modern science is so advanced that most of our organs and body parts can extend it's life through a host body. And also thereby giving life to a fellow human being, it can be your spouse, child or a family member or someone unknown to you who otherwise would have less chance of living longer. Yes in other words you are giving the most precious gift that you can offer to a fellow human being who will also remember it with gratitude throughout their life.

Earlier when we used to talk about Organ donation it used to send a chill through the spine mainly because it's connected with the fear of death. But the continuous awareness campaigns by NGOs and Governments have made a lot of people come forward to help their fellow human beings.
The Kerala government has rightly named the project as Mrithasanjeevani, the mythical remedy to bring back the dead to life. The program was started in 2012 and in a short time it has become a big success. A number of people saved their life through the program.

It is commendable that the Rotary Clubs of District 3211 has joined with the Program and taken it as one of their focus projects.

The Rotary District is planning to create awareness about the program among the members and public and create a database of wishful donors.

One of the main features of the project is the transparency in maintaining the list. And all the members who join the program will be given a donor card which they can keep with them.

Even if one gives consent, according to Indian law if any family members objects, the organ cannot be donated.

The organs like liver, kidneys, lungs, heart etc are donated only from brain dead persons. But cornea, skin, bone etc could be donated from persons who had a natural death.

It is found through studies that a person's life expectancy increased to 80% from 20% after receiving organ transplant.

In India it is believed that we have almost 7 lakh blind people who could be given the ‘Gift of Vision’ by organ transplant. 10% if which are children.

Another interesting calculation is we have a daily death rate of 85000 people and if, only half of these people donate their eyes, the whole India will be free of those blind people in 3 weeks!

So how your decision can bring about a huge change in someone else's life.

Let me quote from ‘Manusmriti’
“Of all the things that it is possible to donate, to donate your own body is infinitely more worthwhile.”